Sir Chris Hoy has advised Jason Kenny and Laura Trott to experience competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow first before passing judgment on its relevance.

The London 2012 double gold medallists had claimed that the Commonwealth Games were a ‘devalued’ competition and had cast serious doubt over their own commitment to Glasgow 2014.

In an exclusive interview with Sportsmail, Trott said: ‘A lot of people don’t even take it seriously. It’s the same with a lot of countries. I went to Delhi as a youngster (in 2010) and there was barely anyone there.’

Passion: Scotland's Chris Hoy celebrates a victory at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester

Team pursuit: Trott kisses her boyfriend Jason Kenny at the London Games

While Kenny added that ‘members of the public probably see the Commonwealths as second only to the Olympics but, when you’re actually involved in the sport, it doesn’t seem that way. It gets devalued a bit.’

But Hoy, who was in Edinburgh yesterday showcasing his new range of kid’s bikes, insisted he valued his Commonwealth Games gold medals as highly as any.

‘The Commonwealth Games is a unique event and when Jason and Laura arrive in Glasgow they will realise how important and special it is,’ said Sir Chris.

‘Jason has not been to a Commonwealth Games yet. Laura has but the one in Delhi was maybe not the best representation of how good cycling at the games can be.

‘I am sure they will take the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow seriously and will be working very hard to win medals for England. Certainly for me the Commonwealth Games were fantastic to compete in and I genuinely have so many great memories of the three I went to.

‘Remember this will be the biggest Commonwealth Games there has ever been, the facilities are second to none and there is still the afterglow of the London Olympics. This is another chance to see another chance to see a multi-sports games within the United Kingdom and to get behind the home nations.

On debut: Trott says not all cyclists take the Commonwealth Games seriously

Gold rush: Trott with her two gold medals from the London Olympics for the team sprint and omnium

‘It is a unique atmosphere and one not to be missed. It is an important competition and I certainly rate my gold medals at the Commonwealth Games right up there with my world titles and my Olympic titles.’

Sir Chris said the importance of the Commonwealth Games and the way it helped him become the best in his field could not be under-estimated. He expected the competition to have a similar positive affect on the current crop of cyclists.

‘The first two Commonwealth Games I was at in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and Manchester in 2002 were significant for my development as a cyclist for very different reasons,’ said the former Olympic champion.

‘Kuala Lumpur was my first ever multi-sports games. I didn’t do very well but the experience and enjoyment I had of those games really made me realise how much work I had to do and inspired me to work harder for the Sydney Olympics.

‘The Manchester games in 2002 was the breakthrough for me because I won my first individual Gold medal and that gave me the confidence to maybe think I could be a world beater.

Star rider: Trott has come a long way since she competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games

Slingshot: Trott, who finished well out of the places in Delhi, but it was her international senior debut

‘Within eight weeks at the world championships in Copenhagen I won two gold medals so the different Commonwealth Games were a springboard for me in two ways. The first one I was at Kuala Lumpur kick-started my career then the one at Manchester helped take it up to the next level and I am sure I am not alone in feeling that way about the competition.

‘To then go on to win the team sprint in Melbourne in 2006 for Scotland was fantastic and overall the Commonwealth Games will always be special to me.’

Sir Chris insisted Scotland had a great chance of winning Gold medals in cycling at Glasgow and although he was reluctant to single out individuals out felt Katie Archibald could be on the podium.

‘I would not want to put the weight of expectation on anybody but I have to say Katie Archibald has had a fantastic year,’ said the cycling legend.

‘She is still very young but is an old head on young shoulders. Her medals have been primarily in the team pursuits but she is outside that now riding individually so that will be a new challenge for her. She could definitely medal.

What it means: The Commonwealth Games was the only chance Hoy got to hear Scotland the Brave played

‘Then you have old hands like Craig Mclean who is doing the Paralympic tandem with Neil Fachie and there is no reason why they can’t win a gold medal.

‘There is also Aileen McGlynn in the female para tandem and we have some great riders in the mountain biking.

‘Also Callum Skinner in the men’s sprints could do well in what is likely to be an incredibly competitive field.’